Bettman announces All-Star Game and NHL Draft are coming to Seattle

The commissioner rolls out the red carpet for the NHL’s newest franchise.

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HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Bettman announces All-Star Game and NHL Draft are coming to Seattle
Zuma Press

According to a report from the Associated Press (AP) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has promised an All-Star Game and NHL Entry Draft to the city of Seattle and the expansion franchise’s owners.

Check it out:

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday the league has promised Seattle it will host the All-Star Game within its first seven seasons, with the team slated to begin play in 2021-22. Bettman also says Seattle will host the NHL draft, and that event will likely be awarded before the All-Star Game arrives.


Bettman made the announcement in Seattle during a session with local media. Bettman was also asked about upcoming CBA negotiations between the league and the NHL Players’ Association. It’s no secret that Bettman has been a shrewd negotiator in his 25 years as the league’s commissioner. The NHL has gone through three work stoppages during his tenure, mostly notably in 2004-05 when the entire season was wiped out.

With potentially contentious negotiations and another lockout on the horizon, tensions are rising whenever the CBA is brought up. Thankfully though, Bettman seems to have changed his tune considerably and is hoping for peaceful negotiations.

Check out this quote from Bettman, courtesy of Sportsnet reporter Irffan Gafar:



Bettman was asked about the CBA - Said he's not in favor of a difficult negotiation. He's hoping for an agreement without fanfare. "We'll see what happens, but I'm not looking for a fight."


For the first time ever Gary Bettman is NOT looking for a fight! When was the last time you heard that out of a lawyer’s mouth?

In all seriousness, here’s hoping for relatively peaceful negotiations and NO work stoppage. Financially, the NHL has never been in better shape. There’s no denying that the 04-05 lockout and the changes that came with it, mainly the salary cap, have changed the game forever, but at this point the league looks to be in good shape. Don’t mess with a good thing, Gary.

Source: AP